Who Is Running in California Congressional District 40th in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Ken Calvert
(Incumbent)Economy
HighCongressman Ken Calvert advocates for pro-growth economic policies, emphasizing the importance of small businesses as job growth engines. He supports lower federal income taxes and reduced regulations, believing individuals should retain more income to stimulate the economy. Calvert agreed that policies by Republicans and the previous administration led to lower inflation and interest rates. He voted for the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which funded water management and scientific programs.
Immigration
HighKen Calvert opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants, advocating for an enforcement-first immigration strategy to uphold the rule of law. He introduced the EMBER Act to mitigate wildfire risks along the southern border. Calvert also supports the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which he voted for, citing it as a measure to restore voter confidence by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
Healthcare
HighKen Calvert has voted for budget bills that included cuts to Medicaid, despite previously stating a commitment to protecting such benefits for Americans. He has also expressed support for patient-centered health care solutions aimed at increasing access and lowering costs, including protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions and dependents up to age 26. He voted to expand access to contraceptives and advocated for federal funding for local health initiatives, such as for the opioid crisis and COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Ken Calvert |
|---|---|
| Economy | Congressman Ken Calvert advocates for pro-growth economic policies, emphasizing the importance of small businesses as job growth engines. He supports lower federal income taxes and reduced regulations, believing individuals should retain more income to stimulate the economy. Calvert agreed that policies by Republicans and the previous administration led to lower inflation and interest rates. He voted for the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which funded water management and scientific programs. High |
| Immigration | Ken Calvert opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants, advocating for an enforcement-first immigration strategy to uphold the rule of law. He introduced the EMBER Act to mitigate wildfire risks along the southern border. Calvert also supports the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which he voted for, citing it as a measure to restore voter confidence by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. High |
| Healthcare | Ken Calvert has voted for budget bills that included cuts to Medicaid, despite previously stating a commitment to protecting such benefits for Americans. He has also expressed support for patient-centered health care solutions aimed at increasing access and lowering costs, including protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions and dependents up to age 26. He voted to expand access to contraceptives and advocated for federal funding for local health initiatives, such as for the opioid crisis and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. High |
| Climate & Energy | Ken Calvert voted for the 2026 appropriations package, which included $1.5 billion for Wildland Fire Management and $3.2 billion for the National Park Service. He introduced the EMBER Act to reduce wildfire risks along the southern border, aiming to improve border security and create a safer wildland interface. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gave Calvert a 6% score in 2024 and a 7% lifetime score. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Ken Calvert voted to restrict veterans' reproductive health care nationwide during the markup of the Military, Construction, and Veterans Affairs Appropriation bill. He also voted to slash Medicaid and has opposed bills such as the Right to Contraception Act, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, and the Women’s Health Protection Act. Calvert believes abortion decisions should be left to the states. Medium |
| Foreign Policy | Congressman Ken Calvert, as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which included funding for national security programs. He supported "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran, stating it would protect America and its allies while providing the Iranian people an opportunity for freedom. Calvert also supports bolstering nuclear defense systems. High |
| Education | Congressman Ken Calvert supports reevaluating the federal role in education, believing federal policy should balance standards and accountability with student, family, and teacher rights, while preserving local control. He advocates for innovative and effective education policy to improve opportunity. Calvert voted to approve appropriation bills on February 3, 2026, and praised the passage of the FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill on January 22, 2026, both of which included funding for Education. High |
| Gun Policy | Ken Calvert voted in favor of considering H.R. 2189, a bill aimed at modernizing federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons. He supported H.Res. 1057 and H.Res. 1042, both related to bringing H.R. 2189 to a vote in 2026. Medium |
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